Dozens of empty alcohol bottles left strewn across ‘neglected’ Northampton Castle site

Callum Jones

The chairperson of Friends of Northampton Castle (FONC) says she is “hugely frustrated” by the neglect of the Northampton Castle site where dozens of alcohol bottles litter the ground.

Northampton Castle, which was built in the 11th century, was one of the most important Norman castles in England and was visited by King John more than 30 times.

The rubbish was cleared from the castle site by council workers on Monday afternoon

Much of the castle building was demolished in the 19th century to make way for the railway station. However, part of the castle wall has survived and the site is marked with an information board.

Marie Dickie, chair of FONC, said she felt the site now looked very neglected as the site was full of empty alcohol bottles and the information board had graffiti on it.

Mrs Dickie said: “I think the site is beginning to look neglected. As members of Friends of Northampton Castle we do go down to the site to clear the rubbish.

“It is hugely frustrating that there is not much respect for the site.”

A Northampton Borough Council spokesperson said today (Monday) arrangements had been made for the rubbish to be collected.

The spokesperson said: “We would like to thank the Chronicle & Echo for bringing this to our attention. Our heritage sites are incredibly important to the town and we have arranged for the rubbish to be collected.”